An 18th century urn has been returned to Hever Castle’s Loggia after restoration work.
The urn, which is one of a pair, is made of Porta Santa marble and part of the socle (or plinth) had become damaged.
Former owner William Waldorf Astor had bought the urns in December 1906 from San Giorgi for 14,000 lira.
The original marble was from an Italian quarry which has now been decommissioned so Cliveden Conservation who undertook the work had to source a similar alternative marble.
Julia Gynn, Cliveden’s Conservation Manager for the Decorative Arts section says “it was structurally unsafe with numerous fractures in the socle” and restoration took 2 ½ to 3 months.
Eventually she tracked down a Breccia marble which was: “the closest one we could find which matched the colouration of the urn.”
The new socle was then turned by a machine and hand carved.
The newly restored urn was returned to the Loggia on Monday 13 December and the second urn which was not as badly damaged will be restored this year.
Curator Alison Palmer said: ‘The urns have been a part of the Loggia since it was first built by William Waldorf Astor so we are relieved that they are back where they belong. Removing an item from display is always a tough decision but due to the damage it needed to be restored. I am delighted that it can once again be enjoyed by our visitors.”
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Hever Castle has played host to many important events and celebrations for over 600 years. In 1903 when William Waldorf Astor set about restoring Hever Castle to its former glory, he added the Astor Wing, to accommodate his family and guests, before creating a lake and the spectacular Italian Garden to house his impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman statuary.
There are multiple places to eat & drink across the Hever Castle Estate. Select between the Castle & Gardens and Golf Club below to discover more.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, Hever Castle Golf Club is a 27 hole Kent golf course that will encourage and inspire all golf enthusiasts.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, the Wellbeing Centre consists of five smart treatment rooms.